Loose-leaf binder



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-H. E. HULSEMAN LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed Nov. l5, 1926 Oct. l5, 1929.

Patented Oct. 15, 1929 PATENT OFFICE HENRY EDWARD HULSEMAN, 0F EVANSVILLE, INDIANA LOOSE-LEAF BINDER Application led November 15, 1926. Serial No. 148,479.

My object is to provide improved clamp` ing means for the covers of loose leaf binders, adapted for use in connection with a loose leaf binder of any type as, for instance, those which employ posts, and those having bands or loops on which the sheets are strung.

The present improvement-s, however, are not restricted to use in connection with the band or strap or post type of binder nor need means be used for Stringing the leaves, when my in'iprovements are provided on the covers, inasmuch as I have found that the improved clamping devices comprising my invention are adapted to so firmly hold the covers in their position that said covers may constitute the sole means for clamping thesheets, if a sufficient number of sheets are being held.

rlhe invention comprises, in its broadest aspect, the provision of clamping pieces, plates, members, or tongues on one of the cover sections, and eccentric clamps on the other section which are adapted to engage the members, clamping pieces, or tongues after the covers have been relatively adjusted.

In carrying out the invention, there may be provided two or more eccentric clamps which are independent of each other and cooperate with the members or tongues afore said, or, there may be two or more eccentrics carried by the same sha-ft or coupled together in any desired manner so as to be simultaneously operable.

Inasmuch as the invention is susceptible of modification, I do not limit myself to the specific construction shown in the drawings nor to the details of construction and embodiments which are hereinafter described.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1, is a plan view;

Fig. 2, is a longitudinal section;

Fig. 3, is a cross section; and

Fig. 4, is a detail perspective of the eccentric locking lever.

The covers are shown at l and 2, each one carrying a suitable rigid clamp strip 3 be tween which the leaves are located.

As illustrated, the posts 4 may be used for Stringing the leaves, or, straps or bands may be employed for that purpose. My invention is not limited to the particular means employed for stringing the leaves. Indeed, it is not necessary that any means be provided for stringing the leaves if a sufficient number of the leaves be employed to enable the clamping strips to bear on them, as I'find in practice that it is possible to entirely dispense with posts, bands, or other means for stringing the leaves.

In carrying out my invention I secure to one of the clamping strips or plates 3, two or more clamping members, tongues, or pieces 5 which are of sheet metal, preferably of considerable rigidity. The length of the outstanding parts of these members or tongues determines the extent to which the binder may be extended. I do not restrict the invention to the use of rigid clamping members or tongues 5 as it may be possible to employ pliable or benda-ble metallic strips instead of rigid strips for that purpose.

Carried by the other strip 3 are guides or receivers 6 which may be constructed as illustrated or assume otherforms. As shown, these 4guides or receivers 6 have eyes 7 spaced apart slightly further than the width of the tongues or members 5, the latter passing between said eyes.

Journaled in the eyes are independent eccentric or cam levers 8 which are provided with handles 9. These eccentric levers have their shafts cut away so that when the cutaway parts 10 are located opposite the tongues 5, the tongues may be freely slid to expand or contract the binder. 1When, however, the handles are turned to bring the eccentric parts 1l against the tongues, the tongues are securely clamped.

I wish it understood that my invention comprehends any kind `of an eccentric or cam device for clamping the tongues 5 and is not limited to the specific construction shown. Furthermore, the guide plates or receivers 6 may be constructed quite diiferently from the form shown.

The two eccentric clamps may be coupled, or formed, or provided on a single rod instead of on two rods, as shown, andsaid single rod may have either one or two handles. It is also within the spirit of my ISO ' invention to provide a series of cams or eccentrics anda series of tongues and guides. In

employ a number of eccentrics, whether they vbe coupled together, or be adapted for independent operation.

The tongues or pieces 5 may be corrugated and the parts 9 maybe of round constructions, with a small removable head, if desired. In that event, the said removable head may be taken off of each'of the parts 9 and the binder used as a permanent binder, if desired, ready to be filed away permanently.

WhatIclaimis: p i 1 1. A loose leaf binder comprising covers each having a rigid elongated angle member rigidly attached to the cover and freely movable vtoward and awayV from each other and adaptedto directly clamp any desired number of the sheets therebetween, and means for locking the said angle members in any desired expanded or contracted relationshipv to each other solely comprising tongues which may be freely slid in either direction when free, and releasable means adapted tobind directly on the tongues for clamping or releasing the same.

l2. A loose leaf binder comprising covers each having a rigid elongated angle member having one of its sides rigidly attached to the cover and freely .movable toward and away from each other and adapted to directlyclamp any desired ,number of the sheets t erebetween, and means .for locking the said angle members in'any desired expanded or contracted relationship to each other solely comprising tongues carried by one of the angleI members and freely slidable in either direction-toward or away from the other angle member when free, and releasable means on the other angle member adapted to bind directly on the tongues for locking the same wherever they are adjusted.

3. A loose leaf binder comprising relatively extensible covers each having an angle memberyone of rwhose sides lies flat-wise against, and 'is-secured directly to, said covers and, in addition thereto, one of the angle members, being providedwith locking mem- Y member, one of whose sides lies iatwise` bers projecting therefrom,- guides or receivers carried by the angle members on the other cover and serving to receive thezaforesaid locking members, and locking devicesy carried by the last-named cover which have their axes extendin crosswise of said locking members when te latter are in the guides or receivers, said locking devices being dapted to bind directly on the locking memers. J v

4. A loose leaf binder comprising relatively extensible covers' each `having an angle against, and is secured directly to, a cover and, in addition thereto, one of the angle plates being providedv with fiat locking members projecting freely therefrom, guides or receivers carried by the angle member on the other cover and serving to receive the aforesaid members, and rockable elongated locking cams carried by the last-named cover, which have their axes extending crosswise of said locking members when the latter are received in the guides, said locking cams being mounted on the guides or receivers and adapted to bind directly on the flat locking members.

5. A loose leaf binder comprising relatively extensible covers, each having an angle member, one of Whose sides lies latwisc against, and is secured directly to a cover and, in addition thereto, one of the angle members being provided with cross-sectionally flat locking members projecting freely in a direction substantially parallel to the plane of the back of said binder, fiat guide members carried by the other cover and provided with eyes which are spaced apart a distance sufficient to permit the locking members to slide therebetween, and rockable cams each comprising an elongated shank mounted to turn in said eyes and a flattened part arranged over the locking members, and means for turning said cams, whereby they may be made to directly bind on, or to release, said fiat locking members.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature 

